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Technology

OpenAI brings virtual fitting to ChatGPT

Online shopping is becoming increasingly visual, and OpenAI is giving ChatGPT a new role in the buying journey. The company has introduced a virtual try-on feature that lets users see how clothes and accessories could look on them before making a purchase. Alongside it, OpenAI has launched a Favorites tool that allows shoppers to save products and return to them later.

The new features began rolling out globally on October 1 and are available across ChatGPT’s web and mobile experiences. Supported clothing and accessory listings now come with a Try On button. Users can select the option, upload or take a selfie, and generate an AI-created image showing how the chosen item might look on them.

The feature is not limited to products discovered directly through ChatGPT. Users can also upload an image of clothing or an accessory, including a screenshot taken from another website, and ask ChatGPT to show how the item could look on them. That makes the tool useful beyond traditional product search, allowing shoppers to bring items they have already found online into the conversation.

The technology is powered by OpenAI’s latest image-generation capabilities. The company says the new ChatGPT Images 2.5 model can produce more natural lighting, richer textures and more reliable responses to editing instructions, while also reducing image-generation latency. These improvements are important for virtual shopping because the usefulness of a try-on experience depends heavily on how naturally the clothing, accessories and the user are represented.

The shopping experience is also becoming more conversational. Instead of simply searching for a specific product, users can describe a style they want to create and ask ChatGPT to find pieces that match it. They can also upload an image of an outfit and ask the AI to identify similar items that are available to buy. This moves ChatGPT beyond a conventional search box and towards an AI-assisted fashion discovery tool.

OpenAI’s second major addition, Favorites, addresses another familiar problem with online shopping: keeping track of products found during multiple searches. Users can save products to their ChatGPT Library and organise them into folders, making it easier to revisit clothing, accessories and other shopping finds later. Try-on images can also remain associated with the shopping experience, giving users a reference point when comparing products.

The company is also building the feature around reusable reference photos. Once a user uploads a photo for a virtual try-on, the reference image can be saved for future use, meaning shoppers do not necessarily have to upload a new selfie each time. OpenAI says users can change or remove these reference photos through Settings → Personalization → Reference photos.

There is, however, an important limitation. A virtual try-on image is a visual preview, not a measurement tool. OpenAI warns that generated images may not exactly represent the product or the user’s appearance and do not guarantee that an item will fit or be the correct size. Shoppers are therefore advised to check the seller’s measurements, product details and return policy before completing a purchase.

That distinction matters because clothing fit depends on factors that an AI-generated image cannot reliably establish, including fabric behaviour, garment construction, body measurements and sizing differences between brands. A jacket may appear convincing in a generated image while still fitting differently in reality.

Privacy is another consideration as AI shopping becomes more personalised. Since reference photographs can be saved for future try-ons, users have controls to manage or delete those images through ChatGPT’s settings. The ability to remove stored reference photos gives users more control over the visual information being used for future shopping interactions.

OpenAI’s move comes as major technology companies increasingly use artificial intelligence to connect product discovery with visual search and shopping. Google has already explored virtual try-on, while platforms such as Pinterest have built strong positions around visual inspiration and product discovery. OpenAI is now combining similar visual capabilities with the conversational nature of ChatGPT.

The larger change is that shopping through AI is becoming less about typing a product name and receiving a list of links. Users can now describe an aesthetic, upload a photograph, compare products, visualise an outfit and save items within the same conversation. That could make the path from inspiration to purchase more interactive and personalised.

Still, the new tool is best viewed as a decision aid rather than a replacement for conventional product information. A generated image can answer the simple question of whether a style looks appealing, but shoppers will still need reliable measurements, material information, customer reviews and return policies before placing an order.

With virtual try-on and Favorites, OpenAI is extending ChatGPT further into everyday consumer decisions. The company’s latest update suggests that AI shopping is moving towards a more visual and personalised model, where the assistant does not simply help users find products but also helps them imagine, compare and organise what they may want to buy.

 

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Leaders

OpenAI CEO says company may slow cutting-edge AI

OpenAI is showing greater willingness to slow the development of its most advanced artificial intelligence systems as concerns over AI safety and the risks of increasingly powerful models grow.

Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman told employees that OpenAI is open to slowing down its work on cutting-edge AI if needed, according to a report that has put the spotlight back on the difficult balance between rapid innovation and safety. The comments come as experts, policymakers and even people inside the AI industry question whether safety measures are keeping pace with the development of increasingly capable systems.

The message marks an important moment for OpenAI, one of the world’s leading artificial intelligence companies. The company has built its reputation around pushing the boundaries of generative AI, with ChatGPT and its increasingly powerful models becoming widely used by consumers and businesses.

At the same time, the race to build more capable AI systems has raised concerns about what could happen if future models become difficult for humans to control.

Those concerns were highlighted by Paul Christiano, a board member of OpenAI’s non-profit foundation and a former head of model alignment at the company. Christiano has warned that OpenAI and the wider AI industry are not currently on track to adequately reduce the risk of a catastrophic loss of control over advanced AI systems.

His warning adds to an increasingly serious debate inside the technology industry. The concern is not simply that AI could make mistakes or produce incorrect answers. Researchers are also examining what could happen if highly advanced systems become capable of carrying out complex tasks independently, accessing external systems or finding ways around safeguards.

Recent incidents involving AI agents have added urgency to that discussion. Reports have described systems behaving in unexpected ways while operating online, including accessing websites and carrying out actions beyond what their developers intended. Such incidents have raised questions about whether existing AI safety controls are strong enough as models become more autonomous.

The debate has also spread beyond OpenAI. Anthropic, another major AI company, has faced scrutiny after an incident involving one of its AI systems. These developments have strengthened calls for more testing, monitoring and safeguards before increasingly powerful models are deployed at scale.

OpenAI’s latest position does not necessarily mean the company is preparing to stop developing advanced AI. Instead, the comments suggest that the company is considering whether the pace of development should be adjusted if safety work cannot keep up with the progress of AI capabilities.

That distinction is important because the global AI race remains highly competitive. OpenAI is competing with companies such as Google, Anthropic, Meta and other technology firms to develop increasingly capable frontier models. A decision to slow down could therefore have commercial as well as technical consequences.

There is also a broader question about whether individual companies can slow down on their own. OpenAI chief scientist Jakub Pachocki has backed discussions around slowing frontier AI development to give researchers more time to improve safety measures.

However, coordinated action between competing AI companies could raise legal concerns. OpenAI is seeking greater clarity over whether companies could legally cooperate on slowing certain forms of frontier AI development without violating competition or antitrust rules.

That issue highlights one of the biggest challenges facing the AI industry. If one company slows down while its competitors continue moving ahead, it could risk losing its position in the market. At the same time, companies moving too quickly without adequate safeguards could increase the possibility of serious failures.

The debate is becoming particularly important as AI systems move beyond simple chatbots. Modern AI tools can write software, analyse large amounts of information, operate digital tools and complete multi-step tasks. The next generation of systems is expected to become even more autonomous and capable.

This has made the idea of AI alignment increasingly important. Alignment broadly refers to efforts to ensure that advanced AI systems behave according to human intentions and remain within clearly defined safety boundaries.

Christiano’s warning suggests that the industry still has major gaps to address. His concern is centred on the possibility of a future system becoming sufficiently capable that humans struggle to understand, predict or control its behaviour.

The discussion also comes as governments are facing pressure to develop clearer AI regulation. Policymakers in the US and elsewhere are examining how advanced AI should be tested, monitored and governed, particularly when systems can operate with greater independence.

The challenge for OpenAI is therefore becoming two-sided. It must continue investing in artificial intelligence to remain competitive while also convincing employees, regulators and the public that increasingly powerful systems can be developed responsibly.

Altman’s willingness to consider slowing frontier AI development suggests that safety is becoming a more central part of that conversation. It does not amount to a pause in artificial intelligence development, but it signals that OpenAI is prepared to consider changing its pace if the risks demand it.

The larger question is whether the rest of the industry will take a similar approach. As the race toward more powerful AI continues, the debate is shifting from how quickly companies can build these systems to whether they can make them safe enough before giving them greater control over real-world tasks.

That question could shape the next phase of the global AI race — and determine how much freedom developers are willing to give the machines they are building.

 

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Technology

OpenAI’s new Chip promises faster AI

OpenAI is taking a bigger role in the hardware powering artificial intelligence after revealing the first performance results of its custom AI chip, Jalapeño. The company says the processor can deliver more AI work while using less power and can significantly cut the time users wait for responses.

The results are important because OpenAI is one of the biggest users of advanced computing hardware, particularly for running AI models at scale. Instead of depending entirely on chips supplied by other companies, OpenAI is now developing its own silicon specifically for AI inference — the process of taking a trained model and using it to respond to user requests.

OpenAI developed Jalapeño with semiconductor and networking company Broadcom. The chip is not being positioned as a general-purpose processor. It has been designed around the specific demands of large language models and AI applications, where speed, memory movement and power consumption can have a major impact on operating costs.

The company tested Jalapeño using InferenceX, a public benchmark developed by SemiAnalysis to measure AI inference performance. OpenAI tested the chip with three large models: GPT-OSS 120B, DeepSeek R1 670B and Kimi K2.5 1T.

The results were striking. OpenAI said Jalapeño delivered between 1.5 and 1.9 times more AI work per watt at peak throughput compared with the Nvidia systems used in the tests. It also recorded between 1.7 and 3.6 times lower end-to-end latency. In simple terms, the chip was able to process AI workloads more efficiently while reducing the time taken to produce responses.

That combination matters because AI companies face two major challenges as usage grows: computing capacity and electricity consumption. A system that can produce more output using less power can potentially serve more users without requiring a proportional increase in infrastructure.

OpenAI said Jalapeño has a 700-watt rating, while its measured sustained power remained at or below 550 watts during the workloads tested. The company compared its performance with Nvidia’s high-end GB200 and GB300 systems. On the three tested models, OpenAI reported substantial improvements in performance per watt and response latency.

The company is particularly interested in reducing latency because AI is increasingly being used for interactive tasks. Chatbots, coding assistants and AI agents need to respond quickly, especially when they are carrying out multiple steps on behalf of a user. A delay of a few seconds may become much more noticeable when an AI agent has to make several calls before completing a task.

OpenAI’s approach is to design the entire system around AI inference rather than treating the chip as an isolated component. The company has worked on the processor, memory, networking and software as a combined system. This allows engineers to address bottlenecks that can occur when information has to constantly move between different parts of an AI data centre.

Memory is particularly important for modern AI models. During inference, large amounts of information must be moved and accessed quickly as the model generates an answer. OpenAI has therefore designed Jalapeño to keep critical data closer to where it is required, reducing some of the communication overhead that can slow down AI systems.

The company also says artificial intelligence itself played a role in developing the chip. OpenAI engineers used its AI tools to explore designs, improve software and speed up verification. According to the company, Jalapeño moved from initial design to tapeout in about nine months.

OpenAI also used Codex and GPT-Astra to optimise software for several open-weight AI models. The company reported that some AI-generated implementations for specific model components were 1.5 to 1.8 times faster than existing implementations created by human engineers. However, these figures apply to selected components rather than complete AI models, so they should not be interpreted as an overall model-speed increase.

Despite the strong benchmark numbers, Jalapeño is not expected to replace Nvidia hardware across OpenAI’s infrastructure. The company has made it clear that Nvidia accelerators and chips from other suppliers will continue to be used. Jalapeño is instead being developed as another option that gives OpenAI greater control over how its AI services are powered.

That distinction is important because the current results are based on specific benchmark conditions and selected models. Actual performance at large scale will depend on factors including software optimisation, networking, workload patterns and how the chips perform inside production data centres.

OpenAI plans to begin deploying Jalapeño within its infrastructure by the end of 2026, while wider deployment is expected in 2027. The company is already working on future generations, indicating that Jalapeño is intended to become a long-term hardware platform rather than a one-off experiment.

The move also reflects a broader shift across the AI industry. Technology companies are increasingly developing custom AI chips to improve performance, manage energy use and reduce dependence on a small number of hardware suppliers.

The Jalapeño project is ultimately about having more control over the infrastructure behind ChatGPT and its other AI products. If the early performance gains translate into real-world production workloads, custom silicon could help the company deliver faster AI responses while keeping the enormous cost of running AI systems under greater control.

Jalapeño remains an internal accelerator rather than a chip OpenAI plans to sell commercially. But with wider deployment planned for 2027 and newer generations already being developed, its progress could become an important part of the race to build faster and more efficient AI infrastructure.

 

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Technology

OpenAI’s first AI speaker could cost over $300

OpenAI is reportedly preparing to enter the consumer hardware market with an unusual new product: a small, donut-shaped artificial intelligence speaker that could cost between $300 and $400.

The device, which has not yet been officially unveiled by OpenAI, is expected to be the company’s first major consumer hardware product. Reports suggest it could arrive in 2027, giving OpenAI a physical presence in homes rather than limiting ChatGPT to smartphones, computers and other existing devices.

The reported price immediately sets the product apart from conventional smart speakers. Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Nest devices have traditionally competed in a much lower price range, while OpenAI appears to be positioning its product as something more sophisticated than a conventional voice assistant.

The upcoming OpenAI device is reportedly about the size of a hockey puck and designed with a doughnut-like shape. It is expected to be battery-powered and portable, allowing users to move it around the home.

Unlike many smart home devices that rely on a display, the reported OpenAI speaker is expected to be screen-free. Instead, users would interact with it primarily through voice, similar to ChatGPT’s existing voice mode.

What could make the device different is the way it responds to people. Reports indicate that it may contain moving components that react during conversations, giving the device a more expressive and physical presence.

The hardware is also reportedly expected to include cameras and other sensors. These could allow the AI assistant to understand more about its surroundings and the context in which a user is interacting with it.

That would take the idea of a smart speaker beyond simply answering questions, setting timers or playing music. The ambition appears to be creating an AI companion capable of having more natural conversations and helping users perform tasks around the home.

One of the most closely watched aspects of the project is its connection with renowned designer Jony Ive, the former Apple design chief.

OpenAI has been working with Ive and his design company, LoveFrom, on consumer hardware. In 2025, OpenAI announced that the team behind io had officially merged with the company, while Ive and LoveFrom retained independent creative and design responsibilities across OpenAI.

That collaboration has fuelled expectations that OpenAI’s hardware will place unusual emphasis on industrial design and the way people interact with technology.

The reported doughnut-shaped design appears to reflect that philosophy. Rather than looking like another traditional smart speaker, the device is being developed as a new kind of physical interface for artificial intelligence.

The biggest strategic shift is perhaps not the shape or price, but the idea of moving ChatGPT away from screens.

For years, consumers have interacted with AI largely through keyboards, touchscreens and apps. OpenAI’s reported hardware strategy suggests the company wants AI to become more ambient — something people can simply talk to without opening an application.

A dedicated AI device could potentially handle tasks such as answering questions, controlling compatible smart-home products, playing media, sending messages and assisting users with everyday activities. Earlier reports have also pointed to the device being designed as a more human-like assistant for the home.

OpenAI has already been investing heavily in voice technology. In May 2026, the company introduced new realtime voice models designed to reason, translate and transcribe as people speak. OpenAI described voice as an important interface between people and products.

The hardware could therefore become a natural extension of that strategy, putting ChatGPT voice AI into a dedicated physical device.

The move into hardware could give OpenAI greater control over how people experience its technology.

At present, ChatGPT operates through devices made by Apple, Google, Samsung and other manufacturers. A dedicated OpenAI product would allow the company to control the hardware, software, sensors and AI experience together.

It could also create a new consumer revenue stream at a time when AI companies are searching for ways to turn enormous computing costs into sustainable businesses.

OpenAI has been scaling rapidly. The company said in March 2026 that it had closed a funding round with $122 billion in committed capital at a post-money valuation of $852 billion. It has also stressed the importance of consumer adoption, enterprise deployment, developers and computing infrastructure to its broader AI strategy.

The reported $300–$400 price tag could be one of the biggest challenges.

Consumers already have access to inexpensive smart speakers from established companies. Convincing people to pay several hundred dollars for an AI-first device will require OpenAI to offer capabilities that feel substantially more useful than today’s voice assistants.

OpenAI has not publicly confirmed the final design, specifications, price or launch date reported for the device. Those details could change before the product reaches consumers.

If OpenAI succeeds, its first device could turn ChatGPT from something people open on a screen into something they simply talk to at home. That would make the company’s hardware launch much more than another smart speaker release, it could be an early attempt to redefine how consumers interact with artificial intelligence.

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1 Minute-Read

AI tax return filing tools raise accuracy, privacy concerns

As income tax return filing season gains momentum, experts are warning taxpayers against relying entirely on AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude for preparing returns.

While these platforms can simplify tax concepts and assist with calculations, they may produce inaccurate responses, overlook recent tax rule changes or misinterpret individual financial situations.

Professionals also caution against sharing sensitive financial information due to privacy and data security concerns. Tax experts recommend using AI as a supplementary tool rather than a replacement for professional advice or official resources.

Careful verification remains essential to avoid filing errors, penalties and compliance issues.

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Technology

OpenAI brings codex to ChatGPT mobile app

OpenAI has integrated its coding assistant Codex into the ChatGPT mobile app, allowing users to handle programming tasks remotely from their smartphones.

Codex is an AI-powered tool that helps developers generate code, fix errors, review changes and improve software projects. Earlier, it was mainly available on desktop platforms, but the new update extends its use to mobile devices.

With this rollout, developers can monitor ongoing coding tasks, approve changes, and track progress directly from the ChatGPT app. However, the actual processing and execution of code still takes place on connected systems such as cloud servers or computers, while the phone serves as a control interface.

The feature is being introduced in a phased manner for both Android and iOS users. It is aimed at making software development more flexible by allowing engineers to stay connected to their projects even when away from their workstations.

OpenAI said the update is part of its effort to improve productivity tools for developers as demand for AI-assisted coding continues to grow globally. The company is competing in a fast-expanding market for AI developer platforms.

Codex was initially launched as a desktop-focused tool to support coding assistance and automation. The mobile integration now allows users to interact with AI coding workflows in real time while on the move.

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Technology

ChatGPT image tool sees surge in India

ChatGPT’s latest image tool is quickly catching on, especially in India, which has emerged as one of its fastest-growing markets. The updated version is drawing attention for fixing a long-standing problem in AI-generated images, messy, unreadable text,  while also making image editing much simpler for everyday users.

Earlier AI tools could create impressive visuals, but they often struggled when it came to adding text. Words would appear distorted or incorrect, making the images less useful for real-world needs like presentations, posters, or social media posts. The new version changes that by producing much cleaner and more accurate text within images.

What’s also driving its popularity is how easy it is to use. Users don’t need any design skills or specialised software. With just a simple prompt or a quick edit, they can improve photos, adjust backgrounds, or create entirely new visuals within seconds.

This has opened up a range of practical uses. From students making presentations to small business owners creating marketing content, the tool is helping people produce professional-looking visuals without much effort. It’s also being used for personal tasks like enhancing photos or creating better profile pictures.

Entrepreneur Anupam Mittal recently pointed out a relatable use case, professional headshots. Many people have plenty of photos on their phones, but very few that are suitable for platforms like LinkedIn. According to him, the new tool can quickly turn a casual photo into something more polished and work-ready.

India’s strong response to the tool reflects a broader trend. With more people creating content online and looking for quick, affordable solutions, AI tools like this are finding a ready audience. The combination of simplicity, speed, and improved quality is making them appealing to both individuals and businesses.

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Technology

ChatGPT images 2.0 comes with realistic AI photos

OpenAI’s newly launched ChatGPT Images 2.0 is drawing major attention online, with users praising its ability to create realistic photos, posters and digital artwork from simple text prompts. The upgraded tool is now available inside ChatGPT and is being widely shared across social media.

One of the biggest improvements is its ability to generate clear and readable text inside images. Earlier AI image tools often struggled with spelling errors or distorted words, but users say the new version performs far better. Many have shared examples of menus, ads, product labels and magazine covers that look professionally designed.

The tool is also being praised for photorealistic results. Users have created portraits, travel scenes, fashion images and street photography that closely resemble real camera shots. Many say the level of detail, lighting and texture is a major step forward.

ChatGPT Images 2.0 can also create artwork in different styles such as anime, branding designs, packaging concepts and social media graphics. Experts say it could become useful for creators, marketers and small businesses looking for quick design solutions.

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Technology

ChatGPT now available on Apple CarPlay

OpenAI has expanded the reach of its chatbot ChatGPT by bringing it to Apple CarPlay, allowing users to access AI while driving.

The feature comes with the latest iOS 26.4 update and enables iPhone users to interact with ChatGPT using voice commands. This means drivers can ask questions, get quick information, or even have simple conversations without needing to touch their phones.

To ensure safety, the CarPlay version is designed as a voice-only experience. Responses are spoken aloud, and no text is displayed on the screen, helping drivers stay focused on the road. This approach reduces distractions while still offering the benefits of AI assistance.

The move also signals a shift by Apple, which has traditionally relied on its own voice assistant, Siri, for in-car interactions. By allowing ChatGPT on CarPlay, Apple is opening its platform to third-party AI tools and giving users more flexibility in how they interact with technology.

However, the feature comes with some limitations. Users cannot activate ChatGPT with a wake phrase like “Hey Siri” and must open the app manually through the CarPlay interface. In addition, the chatbot cannot control vehicle functions or make changes to phone settings, as Apple continues to maintain strict control over system features for safety reasons.

Despite these restrictions, the integration is seen as a significant step forward. ChatGPT offers more natural and conversational responses compared to traditional voice assistants, making interactions feel smoother and more engaging.

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Technology

OpenAI merges ChatGPT, Codex, Atlas

OpenAI is planning a major consolidation of its AI products into a single desktop “superapp” that will combine ChatGPT, the Codex coding assistant, and the Atlas AI‑powered browser into one integrated application. The goal is to simplify workflows, improve performance, and offer a more seamless experience for desktop users.

The company has been developing multiple standalone tools in parallel, but feedback from both users and internal teams highlighted that managing separate apps created fragmentation and slowed feature improvements. OpenAI leaders now believe a unified desktop platform will allow the AI to perform a wide range of tasks, from general conversation and productivity to coding, web research, and data analysis, without users having to switch between different apps.

The superapp will leverage agentic AI capabilities, meaning it can take autonomous actions on behalf of users, such as generating code, analysing data, and navigating complex workflows. According to insiders, the project is being led by Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s Chief of Applications, who explained that consolidating products is necessary to maintain quality and focus. Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s President, will oversee the product development and organisational changes required for the new platform.

Currently, the mobile ChatGPT app will remain unchanged. The superapp effort is focused solely on desktop users, where integrated workflows and multi-tasking capabilities are most beneficial. OpenAI has not announced a release date or pricing details for the app, and the name of the platform is also yet to be confirmed.

The initiative reflects a shift in OpenAI’s approach, moving from a portfolio of specialised tools toward a single, comprehensive platform aimed at improving user engagement, enhancing AI performance, and streamlining the overall experience for professional and personal desktop users alike.

The move is part of OpenAI’s strategy to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving AI market, where rivals like Anthropic and others are expanding enterprise-focused AI tools. Consolidating multiple AI products into one desktop platform could make it easier for developers, businesses, and everyday users to access advanced AI features without juggling different applications.

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